...I did not struggle with weight growing up, but after getting married and having five kids, I had moved solidly into the "overweight" population. In 2006 I was able to lose the extra pounds (50 of them) and get to goal. But staying there, that is another story. Slow but steady, the weight has crept back on over the years. So here we go again ...

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2015 Book Report

As 2015 as come to a close, I thought I'd reflect on my reading from this past year. I did several blog entries throughout these past twelve months (JenB'sBooks) so this is more of a general look. Although my boys are doing a bit better with their books, reading is still a chore, and writing a report is even worse. Here I am, reading and writing reviews of my own free will! I love Good Reads for keeping track of what I've read, what I want to read, and even other details, like where I got the book (shown in the graph above ... you can see I really use my local library's digital services as my "library-eborrow" presents the biggest portion of of the book I read this past year).

Here's my stat capture from Good Reads. I did find some memorable stories that warranted a 5-star rating from me. I look back quite fondly on several of my four-star rated reads too. It was a good reading year. I didn't quite get as many book as a couple years ago, in 2013 ... although I did input "The Fallen" series trilogy as one book (as I read them back to back and reviewed them as a whole). So, as indicated in the image up top, that was a 1,320 page "book" counted as one. My PAGES this year did exceed 2013.

I read a good portion of these books while on the bike. I did a lot of reading/riding this year. I also often read while walking/waiting for my boy's basketball ... during practice or between games. I can often get a lot of steps, and a lot of chapters, in while I walk the hallways.

On Good Reads and other places, you often see "reading challenges" and encouragement to read more. I feel a bit guilty for how much time I spend reading already. Sometimes I feel like I perhaps need have my reading "goal" limited to a certain number of books. I am really glad I can combine some of my reading time with exercise time ... then I don't feel as bad about it.

You are so sweet to read and comment! At least I know someone is reading ;) While I've been good a reading books, I haven't been very good at getting out to other blogs lately, much less taking the time to comment like you do. It is appreciated! I often hesitate to recommend books as everyone has such different tastes, but let me know if you read any of these and enjoy them!

I'm JenB ... this is my journey.

About My Blog ...

As I started this journey (again) I wanted a place to keep a daily diary, to showcase some of the graphs and photos that visually capture the process and to have a place to record my thoughts. This blog is mainly for me... although as long as I'm writing this all down, I might as well put it out there for others to see too.

In addition to my weekly weigh-in, I'll try to post fitness and food features. Because books (reading while riding, or audiobooks while walking) and TV (my entertainment while I elliptical) are part of my journey, I have monthly posts about what I'm watching/reading as well.

Got Graphs?

What can I say ... I'm a visual person. I created this blog in part, to help me keep track of many of my graphs which often only seemed to be available for a limited time. I want to keep them!

Motivational Memberships

Click on the image above to go to my My Fitness Pal page

Click on the picture above to go to my Fitbit page *Ü*

Click on the image above to go to my Walker Tracker page

Pinterest

Hubby & Me ... Nov2006 at my goal weight. I like that my arm actually looks slender. I remember hubby complimenting me on my triceps. I want to get there again!

Summer 2009 ... my 20 year high school reunion. Not at my lowest weight, but still feeling good about myself. Hubby looks pretty cute too! We went to the same high school, so we'd been to his reunion the year before.

I really liked the first two books of this series. I'm not a huge fan of novellas, but I read Roar and Liv and liked it. I noticed my library had this and the 3rd book available (for instant download even!) I decided to give this a quick...

This is being billed as a "Peter Pan" retelling. And it is. It was interesting to hear the familiar names woven in. I did wonder that John and Michael were twins. There was no real reason they couldn't have been a couple years apart, mor...

Three and a half stars ... I bought this on an Amazon sale, three books for $3. I didn't realize that it was really only ONE book and two novellas. I had wondered which to read first (Betwixt or Before) ... I read Betwixt as it was the f...

I heard so many rave reviews about this book. It was on a list of "books to read before they are made into movies in 2014" ... so, I decided to put it on hold at the library. Even though I was 100+ in line, I got the book pretty quickly ...

I read this soon after "If I Stay" and while the stories are different ... a girl in a car accident, waking up in the hospital and dealing with the aftermath, that was very similar. It is also similar in theme to the TV series "Samantha ...

I really liked the first book in this series and was interested to know what would happen to the characters. Perusing other reviews, it seems many liked this sequel more than the first ... but the first is still the favorite with me. I l...

I just read a book about a gal who could walk through walls (Rippler) and here it is again.
I did really like this book. It did grab be from the start, and got me emotionally involved with the characters ... to the point of some tears a...

After reading the first three books in the "Saving Mars" series and really enjoying them, I figured I'd give this series by the same author a try (another one that I managed to snag the first two free in kindle promotions). It started of...

I actually have all three books separately (I was able to snag the first two in free kindle promotions, and I went ahead and purchased the 3rd book). I really liked this series (and will continue on. Books 4&5 are out ... I'm not sure if...

It's always interesting as I come into a series where I know there are prequels and sequels ... as far as the prequels, I wasn't sure if THIS was the book I was supposed to start with. It was a a bit abrupt, not a lot of back story, but ...

Why do I feel guilty giving this a low review? I just didn't care for it. I didn't care for the first book either ... I wouldn't have even read this, except that I felt obligated to, as I received it free from Netgalley. Reflecting back,...

I received this from Netgalley free for review. It was just ok. The writing was solid, the story a bit beyond what I was interested in (old Indian gods and a curse). There was quite a bit of language (F) and sexual situations, so definit...

I didn't hear any specific spoilers ... yet due to the reaction, it wasn't hard to guess as to how this book might end. Personally, I liked the book and felt it wrapped up the series. I couldn't help but feel the "twist" was a bit remin...

This picked up where book #2 ended, and at least this book HAD an ending. Again, if I wasn't reading this just to keep informed of what my child was reading, it would NOT be one I would finish. Not one I would really recommend either, lo...

My son said the first book "was the best book" he'd ever read. My boy's do NOT like to read, so of course I had to check it out. I could see the appeal for a young boy. He then needed to read book three (I guess he'd read book two?). As ...

I did read this right after Timepiece ... not really because I was excited to continue on, but because I had requested it from Netgalley. Having been approved, I then felt obligated to read and review. The three books all had a similar f...

Book one (Hourglass) was one of the first books I read as I got back into reading (after discovering digital and seeing how easy it was to download directly from the library or Amazon). I'd liked Hourglass ok ... it had been a while sinc...

I'd had this on my "list" and it was available at my library, but then it came across the Kindle boards for free, so I snapped it up. I had been a bit concerned when I saw it was labeled as "Christian Fiction" as that can rub me the wron...

... I was always a bit confused as to whether this was titled "Maximum Ride" or "The Angel Experiment" ...
I enjoy YA reads, but this actually felt aimed at an even slightly younger audience (12-13?). It was a decent story. I'm not sur...